'Dangerous' Knifeman Guilty Of Pub Attempted Murder

'Dangerous': Bryden

A vicious knifeman, who repeatedly stabbed another pub customer during a late-night murder bid, has been caged for 22 years.

Jamaine Bryden, 31, stabbed the 25 year-old man in the neck, chest and abdomen and his life was saved by a female vet who gave the bleeding victim emergency first aid.

Wood Green Crown Court ruled heavily-tattooed Bryden is a dangerous offender, who will not be automatically released after serving half his sentence and will need parole board approval before he can walk free.

He was convicted by a jury off attempted murder outside the Sporting Green pub, Green Street, Enfield in the early hours of February 25 and possession of a knife.

The victim was rushed to a specialist trauma centre with life threatening injuries.

The investigation team were able to piece together the events of the evening, which involved speaking with witnesses and meticulous CCTV enquiries.

The victim and his friends had been drinking at the pub during the evening. 

One of the victim’s friends was assaulted by the defendant earlier in the evening in an unprovoked attack. 

A short time later the men were outside the pub when a fight broke out.

The victim was stabbed in the neck, chest and abdomen by the defendant.

Bryden, who was local to the area, was identified as the suspect. 

Initial enquiries revealed he was not at the addresses known to him and had fled Enfield.

A major manhunt was launched to attempt to locate him and he was arrested on Thursday, March 28 in Hertfordshire. 

Weapon Of Choice: Bryden's Knife

He was charged the following day and remanded in custody by the court ahead of his trial.

During the trial and giving evidence Bryden bizarrely claimed a meat cleaver discovered during a search of his home address was something he used to scratch his back with.

Judge David Aaronberg QC told Bryden: “You produced a knife and in a frenzied senseless vicious and entirely unprovoked attack you stabbed at him again and again. 

“He is an extremely lucky man to be alive. He continues to suffer and will always suffer physically. 

“This was a hideous attack for no reason that bears any sense on a young man that has done nothing other than help his friend.”

The veterinary surgeon who assisted the victim has been awarded a judge’s commendation for her actions in saving the victim’s life.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley from North Area CID said: “The devastating events of this night have changed the victim’s life forever leaving him with permanent injuries.

“He was enjoying an evening in the local pub with friends when he was set upon outside by Bryden who was armed with a knife. 

“Bryden launched a savage and unprovoked attack on the victim, relentlessly stabbing him multiple times – it is clear his intent was to cause maximum harm. 

“He has shown no remorse, nor has he accounted at any stage for his actions and the finding of dangerousness reached is wholly appropriate in these circumstances.

“The victim showed great courage to attend court, face his attacker and relive the horrific events of that night as he gave evidence.

“I am confident that the actions of the member of the public, the victim’s friends as well as the first aid administered by police and London Ambulance Service, undoubtedly saved him and I want to praise them all for their efforts.

“I truly hope that this substantial sentence which has been passed today will serve as a deterrent from those intending to carry out these horrific attacks.

“We always will take robust action against any person found carrying a knife or using it to inflict harm on the streets of London.”